The US Senate voted 60 to 40 in favor on Monday. end the longest federal government shutdown in US history. Now the House must end the controversial 41-day suspension.
Seven Democratic senators and one independent voted with Republicans to reach a deal to fund the government through January.
The House of Representatives has been in recess since mid-September. Members are expected to quickly return to Washington to vote on the bill. Democrats had hoped to force Republicans to extend the health care tax cuts that were set to expire on Jan. 1. This dispute remains unresolved.
The closure has caused national chaos for many. Food programs were disrupted and travel delays became widespread as the holiday season quickly approached.
The bill reinstates federal workers laid off during the shutdown. It also compensates these workers for lost wages.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) pressured lawmakers to end the shutdown as quickly as possible. Some Democrats expressed frustration with colleagues who crossed party lines to work with Republicans.
“While your health care costs are rising: Donald Trump and the Republicans are preoccupied with ballrooms, private jets and bailouts for Argentina. These are GOP priorities.” Senator Chuck Schumer posted a message on social media on Monday.
Schumer, the highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate, did not vote to end the shutdown.
New Jersey Senator Chris Murphy posted the video online warning of a “coming health care disaster” due to rising insurance premiums Monday morning.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez counts herself among the Democratic minority in the House of Representatives that is not enthusiastic about the current bill.
“Working people need leaders whose words mean something.” she posted on Instagram Monday.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and California Gov. Gavin Newsom — two Democrats often discussed as possible 2028 presidential candidates — also criticized the bill.
“This is not a deal — it is an empty promise,” Pritzker said in a statement late Monday.
Newsom posted on social networks that “America deserves better” than the bill that passed.
Pennsylvania Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick defended his decision work together on Monday, despite the fact that they represent different parties.
“In this situation, we both agree that shutting down our government is wrong for our Commonwealth and our nation, and I refuse to shut down our government,” Fetterman, a Democrat, told voters.
With news services
